Title: SUSTAINABILITY AND OUTREACH ASSESSMENT OF MICRO FINANCE IN SRI LANKA : CASES OF SARVODAYA ECONOMOMIC ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES LTD AND GAMI PUBUDUWA
Abstract: Asymmetric information and risk are two main problems in credit markets. These problems are even
higher in developing credit markets. Formal financial sectors in developing countries are still growing
and are reluctant to provide credit to poor. Micro credit is considered as an effective strategy to
overcome this problem and to give opportunities to access financial services. Therefore there is a
strong need for continuous operation of micro- credit programs. However, many micro credit programs
face difficulties in achieving main goals of sustainability and outreach. This study aimed at assessing
these two main aspects of success of micro credit programs. A comparison was done between two
micro credit programs: SEEDS, Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise Development Services Ltd, and Gami
Pubuduwa, a program operated by Hatton National Bank in Sri Lanka. The results showed the program
operated by the private commercial bank was achieving success faster than the program by community
based organization in relation to sustainability indicator, but SEEDS was in ahead in reference to
outreach measures. Findings evidenced the importance of profit orientation and targeting
economically active poor for the success of micro credit programs. The study was based on primary
and secondary data collected during two weeks period of field work activities in Sri Lanka.
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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